Back To School

As the children return to school their safety is a priority for our neighborhood.
Please encourage your children walking to school, to walk with a buddy, and remind them not to take shortcuts. Recently there was an attempted abduction on Franconia Road and when children take short cuts through woods they are at greater risk.

The NWC recently offered a Safety course for the children of Greenwood and it was so popular that we will be offering it again in January. Please check back for dates.

What Is Suspicious?

Below is from a handout from the Fairfax County Police Department on Neighborhood Safety. The police will tell you again and again – when in doubt – Call the Police regarding anything believed to be suspicious.

Call the Police
• Your call is always important
• Allows for follow up and case closure
• We want you to call

What is Suspicious?
Vehicle You Don’t Recognize
• Any vehicle you see driving repeatedly on the same day or different days
• A vehicle driving slowly through the neighborhood
• A vehicle dropping off or picking up person(s)
• An unoccupied vehicle parked on the street or in a driveway
• A vehicle parked – a person walks away from it down the street, out of sight
Person You Don’t Know
• Any person you see walking on the street
• A person knocking on the door
• Any person walking around your home or your neighbor’s home
• A person being dropped off or picked up
• A person sitting in a parked car
• A person who walks away from a parked vehicle, down the street, out of sight
Noises
• Gunshots
• Screams
• Glass breaking
• Knocks at the door – nobody there
• Anything around your house or your neighbor’s house
• Dogs barking for no apparent reason
• Car motor – racing, at idle, etc.
• Voices – unusual conversations among people you can’t see
Remember!
• Best Witness Rule
– Be observant
– Write it down
– Carry your cell phone
– Do not approach anyone suspicious
– Call the police

You are not the Police
You are our best help!
Franconia District Crime Prevention Office
MPO Jim Nida
703-922-8263
James.nida@fairfaxcounty.gov

What Can You Do?

90% of all crime is opportunity – the best way to prevent the opportunity of a crime to happen to your home is to be aware.

• KEEP YOUR LIGHTS ON OVERNIGHT – a well lit area will deter a criminal. As you know the only street lights in Greenwood are on Seatrend and Dunn Ct. The rest of the streets in the neighborhood can get pretty dark. It costs less than 3 cents a night to leave on one light bulb.

• MAINTAIN YOUR HOME – keep up with home maintenance and keep your yard and neighborhood free of litter. A dirty and unkempt neighborhood gives criminals the impression that neighbors don’t care or pay attention.

• LOOK OUT FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS – keep an eye out for each other. If your neighbor is out of town, picking up their mail or parking in their driveway will give the impression that they are home.